Third person dead in Central Harlem Legionnaires' outbreak, NYC officials say
Aug. 6, 2025, 7:11 a.m.
The number of cases has grown to 67, according to the health department.
A third person has died after being sickened by a Legionnaires' disease outbreak gripping Central Harlem, city health officials said.
New York City's health department also updated the numbers of those sickened to 67 people, from 58 earlier this week.
“This is our top priority,” acting city Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said Wednesday morning. “We are very concerned about this.”
Legionnaires' disease is a type of pneumonia that spreads when people inhale mist containing Legionella bacteria, which can grow in buildings’ water-cooling tanks. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, muscle aches and shortness of breath.
Those who should be most concerned about the outbreak are people over the age of 50, people who smoke or have lung issues and people with pre-existing health conditions, according to Morse.
“The good news about Legionnaires' disease … is that outcomes are great and antibiotics are life-saving,” she said in an interview on WNYC early Wednesday. “The challenge, of course, is delayed care.”
Morse urged anyone with symptoms to seek medical attention immediately and contact the health department.
Legionnaires' disease hits Central Harlem. Here's what to know about the outbreak.